Fluoride and Your Dental Health

by Dr. R. Paul Rivest.
Dentist.

Fluoride is a mineral found in nature -- in the ocean, in the earth's
crust and in fresh water. Fluoride works by making the enamel, or the
outer layer, of your teeth stronger, thus making them less prone to
cavities.

Fluoride is provided mainly through drinking water, toothpaste and
mouthwash. It is also available through supplements (chewable tablets or
drops) and gels or rinses that can be applied during dental visits. By
far, adding fluoride to drinking water is the best way to provide fluoride
protection to a large number of people at a low cost. Many towns and
cities do this. The U.S. Centre for Disease Control recently named
fluoridation of drinking water one of the 10 most successful public health
measures of this century.

Optimal levels of water fluoridation means finding the right balance
between too much and not enough fluoride. It is recommended that this
optimal level be between 0.8 and 1.0 ppm (parts per million). Health
Canada, through a joint federal/provincial committee is responsible for
this determination.

Too much fluoride in drinking water can contribute to dental
fluorosis. Fluorosis occurs when white specks appear on a child's teeth.
Most fluorosis is mild and barely visible. Fluorosis is not health
threatening and is mainly a cosmetic concern. In more severe cases, it can
easily be treated by the dentist. Fluorosis is not a problem for older
children or adults.

Despite the possibility of dental fluorosis, fluoridation of drinking
water is still the most economical means of getting proven fluoride
protection for teeth. Where fluoride has been added to municipal water
supplies, there has been a marked decline in tooth decay rates – between
35% and 50% in children and 30% in adults.

The bottom line is that fluoride prevents cavities. Dentists and the
Canadian Dental Association (C.D.A.) are well aware of its value. The
C.D.A.'s position on water fluoridation encourages the protection of those
most in need: “The C.D.A. supports fluoridation of municipal water
supplies as a safe, economical and effective means of preventing cavities
in all age groups. Fluoride levels in community water supplies should be
monitored and adjusted to ensure consistency in concentrations and avoid
fluctuations.”

For more information on fluoride and dentistry, please talk to your
dentist. The C.D.A. encourages you to be an active partner in your oral
health care and to discuss any issues of concern with your dentist.